Norma Phenegar Obituary

Norma H. Phenegar

February 25, 1931-February 28, 2013

Mishawaka-Norma was born February 25, 1931 to Louis A. and Lelias Miller in South Bend. Norma passed away at 4:55 p.m. on February 28, 2013. Norma battled COPD for the last 40 years and fought to maintain her independence with this disease. God asked for an angel and Norma was there to say 'I am free.'

She married Lawrence Phenegar of June 25, 1955 and would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this coming June. She was the sunshine of her husband Larry's life and stood by his side through thick and thin for 57 years of marriage. She was a good wife, mother, person and teacher and was loved dearly by her husband and all.

She graduated from Purdue University and Notre Dame University. She also attended Ball State University and Indiana University. She was the first independent Homecoming Queen at Purdue University in 1953. She began her teaching career in 1954 in LaPaz, IN as a Home Economics teacher and continued her career at Washington-Clay and Emmons Junior High School. She finished her career in 1989 as a guidance counselor at Mishawaka High School. During Norma's teaching career, she and her husband, Larry, chaperoned students and adults nine times to Europe. Norma gave 100% to the students that she taught, whether it be in school or out of school. She retired from the Mishawaka School system in 1989 and became a snowbird and spent winters in Arizona with her husband.

Surviving is Lawrence Phenegar Jr. (husband); her son, Gibb Phenegar (Christine) and her four grandsons, Griffin, Chase, Graham and Ryan from Boston, MA and her daughter, Luana Greulich (Donald) and her other three grandchildren, Jason Greulich (Laura) from Nashville, TN and Matthew and Alexandra Greulich from Tallahassee, FL.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Arizona and South Bend, Dr. Fromm, Dr. McClure and Dr. Benson (Arizona), the Hahn Funeral Home and all the Hospice workers that helped us with Norma's care. The Family would also like to thank the First Methodist Church in Arizona for their Tele-Worship ministry. Norma listened every Sunday morning. We love her and will miss her greatly.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 5 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, March 6 at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior, in First United Methodist Church, Mishawaka with Pastor Donald Greulich and Rev. Joyce Kuhn officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please give donations under Norma's name to the Center for Hospice of South Bend or the First Methodist Church Tele-Worship for shut-ins.

Her Journey's Just Begun.

Don't think of her as gone away-her journey's just begun, life holds so many facets-this earth is only one. Just think of her as resting from the sorrows and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years. Think how she must be wishing that we could know today how nothing but our sadness can really pass away. And think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched for nothing loved is ever lost-and she was loved so much.

E. Brennenman

To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the family, please visit our website at www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.

05/28/2025 JEC